Business, Forwarding, Freight News


BIFA predicts eventful year for customs

[ January 14, 2026   //   ]

Traders and freight forwarders can expect several changes to customs rules this year, says BIFA policy and compliance advisor Igor Popovics.

He told an episode of BIFA TV on 14 January that forthcoming developments could include the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This will mainly affect companies selling in the EU, but it could also be seen as a ‘dry run’ for introduction of the UK’s own CBAM, due to come into operation on 1 January 2027.

Consultation is meanwhile ongoing on the future of low-value imports into the UK. BIFA is seeking the views of its members, prior to submitting its response to Government.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will now be introduced at the end of 2026 and will mainly affect traders in Northern Ireland.

The first phase of the new NCTS6 transit rules is now in operation, with the second phase expected in the second half of 2026. However, this will have only a minor impact on UK traders.

French authorities are now poised to implement the Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) and this will be linked to the crucial ICS2 security declaration to allow goods to enter EU territory. One important change in ICS2 will be to allow house level or dual filing capability that will allow traders to directly submit information rather than via intermediaries such as hauliers and should improve speed and accuracy, said Popovics.

Major changes to the Customs CDS system include the ability – long requested by BIFA – to amend rejected declarations rather than submit new ones. Funding for this change has been secured and the facility should become available in 2026. It should reduce forwarders’ workloads considerably, Popovics added.

The Voluntary Standard for Customs Intermediaries should also be published this year, he said. Responses to a consultation are currently under review.

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